Fukushima forests found to be radioactive
Mar 10, 2013 | AlJazeeraEnglish
Two years after the triple calamities of earthquake, tsunami and nuclear
disaster ravaged Japan's northeastern Pacific coast, forests that cover
70 percent of the Fukushima Prefecture have been found to contain high
concentrations of radioactive cesium. With traces revealed not only in
the fallen leaves and soil, but in the trees themselves, the findings
suggest that radiation has permanently found its way into the ecosystem.
The government is already spending billions of dollars decontaminating
various towns in Fukushima, but the forests continue to emit
radioactivity, putting the residents at risk. Scientists suggest cutting
down the trees as soon as possible because the cesium will gradually be
transferred to the earth itself. Many residents are now suing TEPCO,
the nuclear plant's operator, for the impact the disaster has had on
surrounding communities. It is estimated the power company will pay some
about $400bn in cleanup costs and compensation. Al Jazeera's Steve Chao
reports from Fukushima.
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